Inspector Discretion and Industry Compliance in the Street-Level Implementation of Building Codes

Author

McLean, William

Document Type

Dissertation;

Keywords

Discretion
; Compliance; Regulatory policy

Abstract

This dissertation examines inspector discretion and industry
compliance in the street-level implementation of building codes.
In particular, this study examines the effects that agency-level,
individual-level, and environmental variables have on the choice
of inspectors to exercise discretion. Unique to this study is the
examination of policy congruence between building departments
and street-level inspectors as a predictor of industry compliance
with regulatory policy. In addition, the various effects of building
department enforcement philosophies, departmental capacity for
enforced compliance, and environmental variables are considered.
The findings indicate that regulatory policy implementation and
impact are complex phenomena. There is no single, best predictor
for determining what influences inspector behavior and industry
compliance. Rather, this study shows that it is a multiplicity of
factors, in concert, that shape regulatory outputs and outcomes.
From this dissertation we can learn lessons that can be applied to
other policy areas to create a better understanding of inspector
discretion, improve industry compliance with regulations, and
achieve more effective street-level implementation and
understanding of policy impact.

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.